Bierzo Tinto, 'La Poulosa'

Score

93

Score

94

Score

93+

Score

94

Score

94+

"As I have noted in the past, Raúl Pérez's and César Márquez's La Poulosa bottling is made from a classic, old vine Galician field blend that is primarily Mencía, but which also includes Garnacha Tintorera and Bastardo. This vineyard was planted in 1940. The wine includes eighty 65 percent whole clusters, is fermented in wooden vats and spends one year of élevage in older Burgundy barrels prior to bottling. The 2021 La Poulosa comes in at 13.5 percent alcohol in this vintage and delivers a superb, vibrant bouquet of cassis, dark berries, pomegranate, graphite, dark soil tones, sweet stem tones, coffee bean, gentle botanicals and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is bright, focused, complex and full-bodied, with a lovely core of fruit, great mineral undertow, fine-grained tannins and impeccable balance on the long, complex and very promising finish. This is outstanding juice! 2031-2075"

Score

93

Score

93

"There's a pleasing tension to this refreshing red, with fine-grained, sculpted tannins and bright acidity. Offers black currant and blackberry flavors, plus a fragrant overtone of cured tobacco, milled white pepper and mineral notes. Well cut and spiced on the finish. Best from 2025 through 2034."